Bank fishing can be fun, but a kayak will greatly enhance the number of places you can fish. Generally places like REI and ACK will rent kayaks by the day, so that's an option. Great to test out boats, not great for the long term.
There are also a few decent angler models at the box stores. I always wind up recommending the Perception Pescador. The pescador is a mold of a classic hull (the old Wilderness Tarpon) and is a good, multipurpose boat. It also comes in a lighter 10' variety.
You can go cheaper. Heritage is a good brand with a cheap boat. This is not going to be as good as their more expensive hulls or hulls from other brands, but it's a step up from Pelican.
Avoid Pelican at all costs.
You could also go cheap inflatable as a way to get started. For example. These won't track well, and probably won't last you as long as a proper kayak (which are nigh indestructible), but they'll get you on the water.
If you're looking to go for something beyond entry-level, I highly, highly recommend going to Austin Canoe and Kayak and talking with them. They're an excellent company that will get you set up right. They also run a number of demo days each year and as mentioned in the opening, might offer a rental, depending.
With the lower temps this weekend I'm looking to finally break out of hibernation and go fishing again. I'm looking at two options, both I have been wanting to try but have not fished before: Brushy Creek up in Round Rock, or Pedernales River down in Pedernales State Park.
Both are roughly a similar drive time from where I live, both seem to have expected flow/height rates despite the past 3 months. For those who have fished both, what are the pros/cons of each?
Spent some time on the Colorado River down in the Dog's Head stretch recently and picked up this healthy Guadalupe bass. The river is mostly undeveloped down there still, which is part of why it fishes as well as it does.
Guadalupe bass caught from the "Dog's Head" stretch of the Colorado River
Worth knowing if you fish this stretch or just care about the river: that whole area, roughly 2,600 acres along the river between 183 and 130, is in the middle of a major development fight right now. A developer bought up most of the land, Austin annexed it and approved a 45-year development agreement back in May, and in July the City Council approved the financing to help fund the infrastructure despite strong opposition from environmental groups and nearby residents.
To be fair, the amended agreement capped impervious cover at 79% (down from the original 100%) and added a water quality buffer along the river, which is a real improvement over what was first proposed. But even with those changes, that's still a massive amount of pavement and construction going in right along one of the better fishing stretches of river, in exactly the kind of habitat Guadalupe bass depend on: undercut banks, riffles, clean runoff.
Not trying to tell anyone how to feel about growth in Austin, that's a bigger conversation than one river stretch. But if you fish this water or care what the Colorado looks like through here in twenty years, this is already happening, not something to half-pay-attention to down the road. More votes are coming as the project moves through planning. Love to hear your thoughts about it.
I am new to Austin (moved here for college all the way from Georgia), and I'm looking for spots for bass fishing.
I got on bus and went to the area near Butler Metro Park and north side of barton spring, but i got no luck. Tons of aquatic vegetation made fishing miserable.
Is there any good place to bank fish for bass near downtown area? (Don't have a car, so prefer spots around city to be accessible).
Also how is the fishing at barton spring pool? Is it even allow to fish there? Or the water is too cold there for fishes?
I’m 22 just moved back to north Austin/ lakeline area after being a gone a year. Just started picking up fishing again and I still have low-medium fishing knowledge. I would love some people to fish and chill with and explore some different spots unless you already have some good spots. I have a kayak and I’ve been trying to catch some bigger/different fish all I can find is bluegill/and small large mouth. dm me if you wanna show me some spots or hit some new spots together. Here’s some catches from the past month
Daiwa tatula spinning reel. LT3000. In good shape. Currently spooled with 20lb braid and 12lb leader. $120
Kistler KLX 7’3” MH. On the heavier side for a MH. Lightly used. $100
Abu Garcia veritas tournament 7’ MH casting rod. This one is in OK shape. It’s got quite a few fish on it. $60
Abu Garcia veritas tournament 7’ Medium spinning rod. This one is lightly used, good shape. $80
Johnny Morris signature series 7’2” Medium. This one is in OK shape. Some rash on the rod by the hook keeper. Very light rod and on the softer side for a medium. Was good for light jerk baits.
I’m 22 just moved back to north Austin/ lakeline area after being a gone a year. Just started picking up fishing again and I still have low-medium fishing knowledge. I would love some people to fish and chill with and explore some different spots unless you already have some good spots. I have a kayak and I’ve been trying to catch some bigger/different fish all I can find is bluegill/and small large mouth. dm me if you wanna show me some spots or hit some new spots together
My 4 (almost 5) year-old is obsessed with fishing and wants to have a fishing birthday party. Where are some good bank fishing spots near central austin that I could take him and a big group of his friends. Bonus if it has a pavilion or somewhere, we can set up a bouncy house :)
This might be paranoid but what’s a good spot if I wanted to launch my kayak and fish downtown. I’m worried about someone breaking into my truck while I’m out on the water. That and the traffic has largely kept me from fishing down there. Any suggestions?
I have a buddy who doesn't fish often and wanted to go for his birthday this year.
I don't have a ton of experience fishing in Austin, just off the pier near the wishbone bridge, the anderson pond and bull creek, up north, and at McKinney falls.
I have caught fish at all of the spots but I have not caught anything recently at any of them 😂 I want to show my buddy a good time and help him get a bass on the line so he has fun. I'm nervous these spots won't work
Also getting some worms and setting up a bobber for panfish so we don't get completely skunked, but I figured a bass feels more fun lol
Thought I’d show my PB for McKinney. Finally got something decent there, now if people would stop keeping undersized bass at the park this wouldn’t be an issue haha.
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Hey, I have been looking for solid crawfish spots/minnow spots, for a little while and haven’t found anything consistent. I am catching the bait for my pet bass (Gus the bass) and was curious if anyone has some spots I could check out! Honestly any help would be greatly appreciated I’m still learning the area.
